Saturday,

The ninth Day.

EARLY on the morrow, after morning prayers, which Mrs. Teachum never failed to offer every day in the school-room, the little company took a walk in the garden while breakfast was preparing. The fine weather, and the beautiful prospects around them, all united to increase their pleasure. They looked upon one another with delight, while every object in nature reminded them of that God to whom they owed their happiness, and whose love for them they had lately been taught to consider as unquestionable, since he had given such a proof of his tender regard for the whole sinful race of man, as never was or could be given by one earthly friend to another: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John iii. 16.)

Miss Jenny Peace could not here refrain from remarking, that they were happier than any other society of children whatever.

Miss Dolly Friendly replied, "And all our happiness, my dear Miss Jenny, is owing to you.” Miss Jenny answered, "I thank you, Miss Dolly, for your kind opinion of me; and yet, my beloved friend, I should be better pleased to hear

you give the glory where alone it is due; not unto me, but unto God."

Miss Dolly made no answer, but looked serious: when Miss Jenny added, while she held out her hand to her in an affectionate manner, "In all our intercourse with each other, Miss Dolly, we must remember that we are sinful creatures, and if saved at all, must be saved as brands plucked out of the fire: and this recollection should make us very sparing in the use of flattering expressions one to another, which generally tend to mislead and injure us. True affection always seeks the good of its object, not merely its present, but its eternal good."

Miss Dolly Friendly blushed, and confessed that her feelings often ran away with her on such occasions, inclining her to testify her regard for those she loved in an improper manner.

Miss Jenny Peace kissed her tenderly, and begged her to pardon the liberty which she had taken in speaking her mind with so much freedom.

Miss Dolly Friendly had scarcely time to assure her that she not only forgave her, but heartily thanked her for what she had said, before Mrs. Teachum appeared on the steps of the hall-door, calling the children to her, They ran towards her in haste. In her hand she held an open note which she had just received; and as her countenance appeared peculiarly smiling and pleasant, the young people were made to hope that she had something agreeable to communicate to them; nor were they disappointed, since the note came from a lady living in the neighbourhood, requesting Mrs. Teachum to bring her young ladies in the

afternoon to drink tea with her. This lady's house was situated about a mile and a half from Mrs. Teachum's, in the centre of a beautiful wood, which was distinctly seen from the windows of the school-room. She was a lady of high rank and title, a widow, and without children; but of so great an age, that, although she perfectly enjoyed all her faculties, yet she had not been able to leave her house for many years. She saw little company; but being truly pious, she was always anxious to do good, forming and executing many plans with that view. She was not personally acquainted with Mrs. Teachum ; but having been told how anxious this excellent woman was to bring up her young ladies in the fear of God, she sent to request their company, with the intent of affording the young ladies pleasure, and encouraging them to proceed in that sacred path which leads to the truest happiness.

After reading the invitation in an audible voice, Mrs. Teachum kindly promised the little party, that, if they behaved well, she should have great pleasure in presenting them to the noble lady who had done them this honour. The young ladies were greatly delighted, and hastened to the school-room to begin, without loss of time, the tasks which their governess had appointed them. And, I am happy to say, that they all worked with willing hearts and hands: insomuch that they had completed their work before dinner was announced, although Mrs. Teachum had ordered it to be ready half an hour sooner than usual, for the purpose of giving them full time to prepare for their walk:

as the Lady Faulconbridge (for such was the name of this venerable person) had requested that they would come early.

About two o'clock the happy little party were assembled in the hall, all neatly dressed, each in a silk slip, with a lawn apron and lace tucker, and wearing a small cap with a narrow border of lace neatly quilled round it. Each of the young ladies had a rose-bud and a sprig of jessamine in her bosom, and each held in her hand a silk hood and tippet, ready to put on as soon as their governess should appear.

Mrs. Teachum, who was always very punctual to her appointments, soon came into the hall; and having looked at her little pupils, one by one, to satisfy herself that they were decently habited, she exhorted them all to remember those rules of Christian courtesy, which she had often laid before them; namely, to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another: (Rom. xii. 10.) to render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honour to whom honour. (Rom. xiii. 7.) After this short admonition, she directed Miss Jenny Peace and Miss Sukey Jennet to lead the way, while she herself walked last, leading little Miss Polly Suckling by the hand.

It happened very fortunately, as the weather was extremely hot, that most of their way lay through shady lanes and under hedgerows, now richly adorned with wild honeysuckles and roses. till they came into the deeper shade of Lady

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Faulconbridge's wood, through which they had nearly a mile to walk.

At the entrance of the wood, Mrs. Teachum looking at her watch, and finding that she was a little too early, proposed that they should all sit down on the trunk of a tree, which had been lately felled, and which was then lying on one side of the way. The little party were in so cheerful and contented a state of mind, that every thing appeared sweet and delightful to them; so with a general smile they sat down upon the rustic seat to which Mrs. Teachum had invited them.

While they remained in this place, they had opportunity of observing many things which greatly pleased them. They saw two little squirrels in an opposite tree, sitting on one of the boughs, holding something in their fore paws, which they lifted to their mouths just as a human creature would do, while their tails, adorned with long hair, were raised up behind them as high as their heads. But upon one of the children moving, the pretty animals started and ran away, which set all the little merry company a-laughing.

The air in this place was filled with the perfume of flowers; and here and there the blue-bells grew so thickly under the trees, that the ground appeared to be quite enamelled with them. In other places the many-coloured vetch with the wood-anemone afforded a beautiful variety, raising the one its gay and the other its delicate head from among the thick moss. Mrs. Teachum made her little girls to observe all these beautiful works of God; pointing out to them how in the wilderness, where no inan dwelleth, the Lord R